About the author
The Galloping Detective series by Claire Birch is now out of print, despite it being well received. Lucy Hill is a girl who wants to make horses her life’s work, hopefully as a professional rider, starting with working towards the Maclay medal. She doesn’t have a horse of her own, so has to do this through last minute rides at shows. On the way, she solves several mysteries. The series changes location and stables after the first book, when Linda’s parents divorce and she and her mother move.
Susan Bourgeau said: “The clash between the very good, solid stories, and characters and the rotten cover art might have doomed them… people attracted by the cover wouldn’t care for the story, and the very people who would love the story would be put off by the cover art.”
The first books in the series were printed initially by Laurel Leaf. I haven’t been able to find any evidence of the first book, Triple Threat, appearing as a Laurel Leaf edition, but it does seem very unlikely that it didn’t. The last two titles I do not think were printed by Laurel Leaf. The only uniform edition is the one illustrated, printed by Dell. All the books are listed with the copyright belonging to Claire Merrill, so Claire Birch was presumably a pseudonym.
Finding the books
All are very easy (at the time of writing) to find in the US; very much less so in the UK.
Links and sources
Very many thanks to Susan Bourgeau, who provided all the information and pictures for this section.
Series
The Galloping Detective series
Triple Threat
Tight Spot
Collision Course
Double Danger
False Lead
Near Miss
High Stakes
Bibliography (horse books only)
Triple Threat
Dell, New York, 1991
The blurb:
“Lucy Hill loves riding, horse shows, and helping out in a tack shop with her best friend Jenny. One day she spots a suspicious-looking customer. Soon after, the shop is broken into, but it seems that nothing was taken. What could the mysterious stranger be looking for? Lucy has to unravel this mystery fast, before something terrible happens to Jenny’s family. Dangerous people are watching the shop, just waiting… “
Tight Spot
Laurel Leaf, 1985
Dell, New York, 1991
The blurb:
“Lucy Hill learned to ride at Up and Down Farm, and the stable has always been the most important place in her life. She’s determined to become a championship rider, but when a series of rumours, strange coincidences, and accidents threaten the stable, Lucy faces a more immediate challenge. She must save Up and Down Farm!“
collision course
Laurel Leaf, 1985
Dell, New York, 1991
The blurb:
“Lucy”s parents are separated, and she has to move to New York City, and a whole new life. But she still has her goal of becoming a champion rider. Then strange and frightening incidents start occurring; could Lucy be a target?”
Double Danger
Laurel Leaf, 1985
Dell, New York, 1991
The blurb:
“On vacation in Beverly Hills to visit her TV-producer father, Lucy’s thrilled to act as a stunt rider in his series, Malibu. She’ll double for twenty-year-old Darci Rutland and play scenes with her handsome co-star, Mark. Meanwhile, someone’s pulling some dangerous stunts on the Malibu set – the whole cast is in danger. As Darci’s double, Lucy could be the next victim. Lucy decides to find the culprit and prove herself as a rider, an actress, and a detective! “
False Lead
Laurel Leaf, 1986
Dell, New York, 1991
The blurb:
“Riding outside New York City at Oak Ridge with a top-notch trainer means Lucy has to juggle commuting from Manhattan, homework, and life at the stable – but it’s worth it. Especially when she starts dating Ken, the brother of one of her students. No matter how busy she is, Lucy can’t resist following up every lead to solve a series of robberies centering on the stable. Soon she suspects that there’s more than one mystery to solve at Oak Ridge – but the thieves have set up some ominous “warnings” to frighten Lucy off their trail!”
Near Miss
Dell, New York, 1992
The blurb:
“Lucy’s landed her dream summer job teaching riding to the Mosedale children on their family’s beautiful estate on Shelby Island. She likes the kids, and she’s intrigued by their handsome cousin Brett. There’s only one problem: someone’s trying to kill one of the Mosedale’s. Could the rumours of a treasure hidden in the house be true?”
High Stakes
Dell, New York, 1992
Are the Maclay Finals ahead, as Lucy’s always dreamed?
